'Breaking Bad,' 'Modern Family' win Emmy Awards

Aaron Paul, left, poses with the award for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series, with Anna Gunn, center, with the award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, and Bryan Cranston with the awards for outstanding lead actor in a drama series and outstanding drama series for “Breaking Bad” in the press room at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
The Associated Press

Aaron Paul, left, poses with the award for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series, with Anna Gunn, center, with the award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, and Bryan Cranston with the awards for outstanding lead actor in a drama series and outstanding drama series for “Breaking Bad” in the press room at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Gail Mancuso accepts the award for outstanding directing for a comedy series for her work on “Modern Family” at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. Looking on from left are Justin Mikita, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Julie Bowen. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)The Associated Press

Gail Mancuso accepts the award for outstanding directing for a comedy series for her work on “Modern Family” at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. Looking on from left are Justin Mikita, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Julie Bowen. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Aaron Paul walks to the stage to accept the award for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for his work on “Breaking Bad” at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)The Associated Press

Aaron Paul walks to the stage to accept the award for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for his work on “Breaking Bad” at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Sofia Vergara, left, and Sarah Hyland pose with the award for Outstanding Comedy Series in the press room at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)The Associated Press

Sofia Vergara, left, and Sarah Hyland pose with the award for Outstanding Comedy Series in the press room at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Louis C.K. poses with the award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in the press room at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)The Associated Press

Louis C.K. poses with the award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in the press room at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Ricky Gervais presents the award for outstanding writing for a variety, music or comedy special on stage at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)The Associated Press

Ricky Gervais presents the award for outstanding writing for a variety, music or comedy special on stage at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Billy Crystal speaks during an In Memoriam tribute to Robin Williams at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)The Associated Press

Billy Crystal speaks during an In Memoriam tribute to Robin Williams at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Bryan Cranston kisses Julia Louis-Dreyfus, center front, as she accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her work on “Veep” at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)The Associated Press

Bryan Cranston kisses Julia Louis-Dreyfus, center front, as she accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her work on “Veep” at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Modern Family" and "Breaking Bad" triumphed at Monday's Emmy Awards, proving that established broadcast and cable fare retains the power to fend off challenges from upstart online series such as "Orange Is the New Black."

The ceremony's emotional high point came with Billy Crystal's restrained and graceful remembrance of Robin Williams, who was found dead Aug. 11, an apparent suicide.

"He made us laugh. Hard. Every time you saw him," Crystal said of Williams at the conclusion of a tribute to industry members who died within the past 12 months. "Robin Williams, what a concept."

ABC's "Modern Family" won a fifth best comedy series Emmy, tying the record set by "Frasier," while the final season of AMC's "Breaking Bad" captured the top drama award and a trio of acting honors for its stars.

Netflix's freshman "Orange Is the New Black," which competed for best comedy series despite its dark prison setting, failed to sway Emmy voters, as did Netflix's sophomore series "House of Cards."

"I have gratitude for everything that has happened," Cranston said. His victory ties him with four-time best drama actor champ Dennis Franz. Cranston's co-stars Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn were honored in categories for best drama supporting acting — he for the third time and she for the second straight year — and the series won its second consecutive best drama award.

Related

"Thank you for this wonderful farewell to our show," ''Breaking Bad" creator Vince Gilligan said of the series about a teacher-turned-drug kingpin that ended with a bang.

A broadcast win was scored by ABC's "The Good Wife" star Julianna Margulies, honored as best lead actress in a drama series. "What a wonderful time for women on television," Margulies said.

McConaughey was the object of too-handsome jokes by presenter Jimmy Kimmel and adoration by winner Gail Mancuso, honored as best director for an episode of "Modern Family." It was one of the better gags of the night.

"If you don't mind, Matthew McConaughey, I'm gonna make eye contact with you right now," she said from the stage, making good by holding the actor's gaze for much of her speech.

The ceremony honoring the best of TV wasn't shy about playing the movie-star card. "Six minutes to Woody Harrelson" flashed on screen during Colin Bucksey's acceptance speech for best miniseries direction for "Fargo."

Harrelson and his "True Detective" co-star were given time to banter before announcing that Benedict Cumberbatch of "Sherlock: His Last Vow" was the winner of the best miniseries actor award.

"So you won Oscar, (People magazine's) Sexiest Man Alive and now you want an Emmy, too. Isn't that a little bit greedy?" Harrelson teased his fellow nominee.

"Fargo" was named best miniseries, and the award for best miniseries actress went to Jessica Lange of "American Horror Story: Coven."